Jackson suddenly glued his feet on the ground with several long curve lines written all over his forehead. "Do you think he knows something?" "What's going on, Melvin, Jackson?" Karen appeared in front of us. "Aren't we supposed to be on our way to the mission now?" I nodded. "We'll talk about it later. Let's go!" Then we all hopped into the cars assigned to us. In the middle of our journey to the abandoned factory, my wolf still felt restless. My wolf kept thinking about Alexes and the new Sheriff. And if my instinct was right, Mr. James might have something to do with their existence both in the laboratory and in the police department. Could they be the werewolves who Jennie sense back in Mr. James' office? What are they doing in the city? Their existence remained a mystery to me. No matter what they are planning for the city, I need to unfold them. My wolf needs to protect Karen and my friends from them - from getting hurt. Meanwhile, the moon shon
"Are you okay?" Jackson asked with his mouth covered using his bare hands. "You seem to be bothered out of something. Are you afraid of meeting something terrifying inside this tunnel?" The unbearable stinky smell of the mixture of rotten meat, seasoned blood, rust, and dust even gets stronger as soon as stepped foot into the tunnel. My wolf can barely concentrate when the unbearable stinky smell was blocking all my senses. "I'm fine," I said back. "We better get going so we could get out of this place as soon as possible." The old tunnel stretched out before us, its ancient stones shrouded in darkness. As Jackson and I cautiously made our way deeper into the tunnel, I relied on my heightened werewolf senses to sense danger lurking in the shadows. Something felt off, and a sense of unease settled upon us. The silence wrapped around us, suffocating, as if the tunnel held its breath, waiting for something to happen. The only sounds that reached my ears were the
"You guys go ahead first." Jackson enunciate. "Joseph and I will stay to get more evidence." "Are you sure about this?" Joseph complained. "Melvin is your best friend, right? Aren't you supposed to help him?" "We are already here," Jackson said. "We'll follow them once we could get enough evidence from those men in masks." Those were Joseph and Jackson's last conversations my wolf heard before I finally got out of the tunnel. I started the engine right away as soon as Glester settled in the car. The dim light behind us faded away as we blinked in the sudden brightness of the abandoned factory. And the air was heavy with a musty scent. Let alone the sound of our footsteps echoed through the vast space which resulted in my anxiety becoming more obvious as I continued my steps. The closer I get, the louder the heartbeats. "Do you think something bad happened to Melvin, huh, Ms. Karen?" Glester asked with worries and fears dominant in his voice. "Let's hop
"Jackson? Is that really you?" asks his mom. She quickly hopped out of the car and wrapped her arms around him. His dad also followed. No matter how hard I try to be pleased to witness a family reunion, I could not convince my wolf to feel the same way. Melvin was gone. He was the one who made this reunion happen. With his strong will to help his best friend, everything becomes possible. But now that he was gone, I don't know if a human like Jackson could think and do the same. I, myself, know that I don't have the will similar to Melvin. Since I turned into one of them, my wolf always depends on him even if he always convinces me that I am more powerful than him. "Of course, mom. It's me, Jackson, your son." Jackson replied, his voice shaking and his tears began pouring down his cheeks. "We're so sorry, son," his dad also burst out crying. Simon and I hopped out of the car and gave them enough time to reunite. Three hours later, one of the police officers asked us to clear the a
"I already did what you asked. That was the deal. Nothing more. Nothing less." Jackson said. It was evident from his voice the utter fury, irritation, and worry all at the same time. "You already started this, Jackson." says the person from the other line. I studied his voice despite the short words but my wolf could barely recognize the man. His voice was all static and he sounded like an AI robot. Perhaps he intentionally changed the tone and pitch of his voice to make sure Jackson could not recognize him. But what is Jackson have to do with that man? What was their deal? And what does he mean about what he said to Jackson that he already started it? Does this mean, Melvin was right about his best friend? That he is the traitor. "We can kill your parents any time we want." the man added. "Truth be told, they were in the dining room right now enjoying the food and drinks on the table..." "Don't you dare touch them again or I'm gonna kill you myself. I swear to
I enhanced my werewolf senses before Jackson could say a word. Even though I already know the answer to my question, my wolf was pretty convinced that he is going to deny my accusation. Jackson's eyebrows furrowed in confusion the way I expected, his eyes widening momentarily. He quickly composed himself and uttered, "What? No, that's ridiculous. Why would you think I know something about that?" I sighed, frustration creeping into my voice. "It's just that... you and Melvin used to be close. I thought you might have some information, maybe even a lead." Jackson's expression softened slightly, his eyes flickering with a hint of remorse. "I don't know anything about the incident, Karen. That is the reason Simon and I agreed to have an urgent meeting to find him. Similar to you, I was also saddened by his disappearance. But don't worry, we are going to find him. Just have faith, okay?" My heart sank at his lies. He has no plan of telling us the truth. "Faith, huh?" I
"So it happens that I managed to hear you and Jackson earlier. Still want to keep it a secret from me?" Simon added. I almost bump my head into the glass wall ahead of me when I accidentally stepped onto the brake. Good thing the seatbelt was that strong to support my body. Before Jackson and I talked in private earlier, I enhanced my werewolf senses to make sure no one could hear me confronting him. But how did Simon hear our conversation? Does it mean that he already knows the truth? "Melvin and I trusted you, Karen." he continued. "And I am started to lose that trust. Once my trust gets broken, it will never be healed. Do you understand?" "Let's not forget Jackson is Melvin's best friend, Simon." I defensively said back. "Yes, he stabbed all of us but I know Melvin will forgive him eventually. But you know Melvin. He had this kind and understanding heart." Even from the other line of the phone, I could still hear Simon's cold sigh of dismay. He was put i
Melvin slides toward his broken mask and put it back to his face as if nothing happened. He never said a single word. Not even a simple hi or hello. And his expression never changes either. Right after putting on his half-faced mask, he turned around back to me. "Melvin, please, stop! This isn't you." I tried to convince him while buying enough time for the wounds in my chest to heal. "Don't waste your words, Karen. I highly suggest you focus on killing the love of your life. Because if you are not going to kill him now, he will to you." As soon as the wounds in my chest finally healed, I stood firm again and growled at Melvin. At the same time, I was thinking about how to beat him without us getting hurt. Beating him until he gets unconscious is at the top of my plan at the moment. But how am I supposed to do that? The rest of the men in masks have their eyes on my every move. "Melvin, wake up!" I exclaimed. And I stood my ground, my own glowing eyes focu
"Poor little wolf," Mr. James uttered. "All your plans failed. Everyone around you died because you encourage them to be part of your vision. With just one stab of my claw straight into your heart, there is no way you could survive. But there is no fun if I do that to you." He shifted back to his human form, and with a sadistic grin, he cruelly taunted me, relishing in his superiority. He unleashed a barrage of punches to my battered face, blood spewing from my mouth with each blow. The agony intensified, yet he continued to laugh, finding pleasure in my suffering. "How does it feel, huh, Melvin?" he continued. "Does it hurt? How about removing your fingers one by one? That would be music to my ears." But amidst this relentless assault, a spark refused to extinguish within me. Determination ignited a fierce resolve upon seeing the clouds from the sky as they started to get darkened. Lightning and thunders began to emerge in the sky. And the cold wind blows straight to
"They're killing our people! Get back! Get back!" Simon screamed, his voice laced with worries and fears combined. "Melvin, do something!" "This is not what we expected to happen, Simon. Let me think first, okay?" I screamed back before digging into the deepest part of my brain on what to do in this kind of scenario. "There's no time to think." Simon insisted. "You must do something!" Simon and I stood outside the entrance of the cave, our hearts filled with terror. Before our eyes lay a scene of chaos and destruction. The dense forest surrounding the cave was already engulfed in dark smoke and flames. The crackling fire licked hungrily at the trees, transforming the once serene landscape into a fiery nightmare. And at the center of it, all stood a colossal werewolf, towering over us with an air of malevolent power. The massive creature was not just content with burning the forest. It continuously released blasts of fire from its gaping maw, directing them n
Two days ago. "So you mean we are not just facing one huge terrifying monster but hundreds of them? Are you fucking kidding me, Mr. Parker?" the Sheriff slapped his hand on the surface of the table in front of us. My wolf some of the highest-ranking officials in the city, including the mayor and the Sheriff are gathered in the mayor's office. Behind me is where Karen and Simon standing still. The urgent meeting was palpable. It was I who called for an emergency meeting as it turned out that our pack got information from a reliable source that Mr. James was busy multiplying his numbers in our neighboring cities. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Sheriff. But getting angry and raising your voice will not solve anything in this case." I replied with conviction. "You already told us in our confession that we will be using everything the police department has to stop these monsters." "Yeah, I did that." The Sheriff replied. "But what I meant to that is to use all our weapons su
"Please, don't talk anymore. The rescue team is on their way." I reached out to her hand and studied her condition. Then I glanced at those werewolf guardians who were rushing in our direction. "Hurry!" I yelled. "Melvin," Jennie breathed out my name. She grabbed something from her pocket and grasped it in my hands. "Take that. Use it for good." Out of curiosity, I opened my hand and looked at what she just handed me. In Jennie's final moments, she presented me with a syringe filled with a mysterious green liquid. As far as I could remember, it was the same serum her father had used to transform me into a human. Her voice trembled as she spoke the instructions. "Please... use this... to stop my... evil dad. He already killed all the monsters and absorbed all their powers inside him. Please, be careful of him. He was no longer the..." she managed to say before her life slipped away. Her last words hung in the air, heavy with sorrow and determination. I clut
My wolf already expected that from him. With the new blood in my veins, I don't need to get worried if things go south. We barged into the village our rifles filled with bullets. On top of that, I already convinced myself that I must do whatever it takes to get the pack from the ruthless and manipulative leaders. And that must be done by hook or by crook time is not on our side at the moment. Meanwhile, a sly smile curled on my lupine face as I locked eyes with him, my voice dripping with concealed menace. "You doubt my capabilities? Perhaps you'd like a demonstration," I asserted, my tone unyielding. "How about a one-on-one battle between you and Julian? If you decline my proposal, know that I will personally end your life, just as I did to those pitiful men in masks." The room fell silent once again, every werewolf present captivated by the intensity of the standoff. The pack leader, although conflicted, understood the truth in my words. And the power I wielded w
Simon immediately shut his mouth, and deny it or not, my wolf started to sense the worries and fears that itched his expression right after confessing to him about the killings. The last I could do is blame him for that. Simon had every right to get suspicious of me when I just got back from my complicated past of being a ripper. Needless to say, I am their most feared enemy a few hours ago. I even almost killed Karen. But I must get to the bottom of everything now that I got back my consciousness. Everything. Even if I may not get the chance to correct the past, my wolf must protect the future. Meanwhile, Simon and I stood outside in front of Jackson's parents' house, fraught with anger and betrayal. The door loomed in front of us, a barrier keeping us from the truth we needed to confront. With a furious determination, I slammed my shoulder against the wooden door, splintering the lock and sending it crashing open. There are no cops around so who the hell do I ca
The mask fragmented into countless pieces. Reality itched me as I glanced back to Karen. She's dead. And it was because of me. I killed her, my mate. And the love of my life. But how? How did it happen? Why did I do it? My brain was frozen without getting any answer to my questions until all of a sudden, an unknown power surged within me - a tempest of raw, untamed energy pushing against the confines of my skin. My wolf stirred in startled wonder; it had never experienced such magnitude of power. My eyes, once blurred, now blazed fiery red. It was the same eyes when Karen became an alpha. Shaking off the remnants of the mask, my newly amplified senses caught whiffs of a brutal battle underway – Simon and our friends combatting the malevolence of the masked men. My gaze swiveled back to Karen's prone form on the ground, heartache seizing me, her peaceful face a harsh contrast to the chaos around me. The alpha blood in me roared throughout my veins with the urg
Everyone in the room fell into a heavy silence and the weight of my accusation echoed in the air. For a moment, not a single police officer dared to speak or move. The statement lingered like a dark shadow, casting doubts and fears among those who had believed in Jackson's innocence. With eyes darting nervously, Jackson's facade finally crumbled, revealing the truths he had fought so hard to conceal. His gaze fell to the ground, unable to meet anyone else's eyes. It was in that moment, amidst the deafening silence, that the harsh reality of his actions became undeniable. As I stood there, my heart heavy with the weight of betrayal, I hoped that the officers would heed my warning. The threat Jackson posed was too grave to be ignored. It was time for justice to prevail, for those in positions of authority to be cautious, lest they too fall victim to the treacherous lies that Jackson had spun. In this moment of immense tension and revelation, the precinct becam
"What the hell is going on?" I could not help but ask myself. "Karen!" Simon called out desperately, seeing me on the verge of turning around. He rushed towards me, gripping his arm tightly, pulling me back just in time. "Don't look, Karen! Whatever you do, don't look!" "What's going on, Simon?" I voiced out my question with my eyes closed. "Why did they turn into stones? Please, do something. They're our friends." Tears welled up in my eyes as the gravity of the situation dawned on me. Fear and disbelief locked in an intense battle on my face. I clutched my arm, seeking solace and answers in my eyes. In front of me were all our friends turned into stones. The worst part of the case was that my wolf, despite my senses being heightened, could barely hear their thunderous heartbeats anymore. "Best of luck, my friends," Mr. James said, his words laced with a bittersweet tone. With a wave of his hand, he and the two men in masks disappeared, leaving only a faint ec